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Library Board of Trustees Adopts 2014 Library Budget

(Lakewood, Colo. – Dec. 18, 2013) Jefferson County Public Library (JCPL) announced today that its 2014 budget has been approved by the Library Board of Trustees and Jefferson County Board of Commissioners.

Revenues for 2014 are expected to be $24.6 million, a slight increase from $24.2 million in 2013. The increase in revenues is due to a projected increase in property tax revenues and the restoration in 2014 of about $100,000 in state funding for literacy initiatives.

Operating expenses and debt service are expected to be $24.5 million, down from $24.8 million in 2013. The reduction in operating expenses and debt service is primarily due to the payoff of Belmar Library debt, and a slight decline in salaries and benefits expenses and internal charges for County services.

Capital expenditures for 2014 are expected to total approximately $1 million to fund much-needed repairs and upgrades to the Columbine and Standley Lake Libraries and to update public access computers throughout JCPL locations, some of which are now more than seven years old.

"We’re pleased to present a balanced budget for 2014," said Pam Nissler, executive director, Jefferson County Public Library. "The elimination of $716,000 in annual debt expense for the Belmar Library allowed us to maintain current service levels and make modest investments in staff and technology, while keeping expenses well in line with revenues in 2014.”

“That said, I’ve set a goal of maintaining a balanced budget as we go forward,” Nissler added. “In pursuing that goal, we remain committed to maintaining current service levels as long as possible and to working toward restoring cuts to services as quickly as we can.”

To that end, the Library Board of Trustees has undertaken an initiative to evaluate options for achieving a sustainable business model, including investigating ways to increase library revenues.

About Jefferson County Public Library

Jefferson County Public Library (JCPL) is the third largest public library in the state of Colorado. Our mission is to meet the changing needs of our communities by providing information and environments that promote personal growth and community transformation. A JCPL library card is the smartest card in your wallet, giving you access to jeffcolibrary.org 24 hours per day, seven days per week, a network of 10 libraries, a Bookmobile, a Traveling Children's Library and an eTrain mobile computer training lab, as well as books, periodicals, CDs and DVDs, audio and eBooks, and computer and Internet resources. For more information contact your local library or visit jeffcolibrary.org.